Blending library

For balance, complexity and alternative flavours, wine blends are a great drinking option.

1 One classic blend is cabernet merlot, which results in a long, even and medium-bodied palate. Try the 2015 Cooks Lot Allotment 8989 Cabernet Merlot, $22, with perfumed raspberries, cherries and spice. Alternatively, enjoy the classic Australian blend of shiraz and cabernet in the 2015 Bleasdale Wellington Road, $29.

2 Zonte’s Footstep has two new-release 2015 blends, both priced at $25. One is Avalon Tree, a blend of cabernet and tempranillo, which presents as a bright, fruity wine with front-palate intensity and good structure. The other, Canto di Lago, is a blend of sangiovese, barbera and lagrein. It offers some earthy and rustic tones plus pleasing length.

3 Finally, it’s well worth sampling the 2016 S.C. Pannell Grenache Shiraz Touriga, $30. This is a structured blend, moreish in nature, with sweet fruit, milk chocolate and gently drying tannin.